We use a variety of analytics and marketing cookies to help improve our website and give you the best possible
experience. Analytics cookies allow us to review our website traffic and performance, building intelligence on how
our site is used. We also use marketing cookies via third party technologies/agencies to advertise online. These
track the ads you have been exposed to, and help us serve up targeted and relevant content to you. You can change
your cookie settings at any stage if you wish. By continuing without changing your cookie settings, you are
therefore agreeing to this. Please read our website terms of use to find
out more.

BA/BA (Hons) Drama

Are you passionate about theatre? See yourself as a future director, performer, playwright, deviser, stage manager, scenographer, workshop leader or producer? Our exciting and innovative mix of theoretical and practical modules will enable you to try out all of these roles and then focus on your career aspirations

Visit the theatre in Scotland and you will likely see the work of a QMU graduate. Whether you see them performing, hear the words of their script or view their artistry as director, scenographer or producer, they are building a successful and exciting career in drama thanks to their time at QMU.

See the foot of the page for some student case studies/ staff profiles.

Why QMU?

Edinburgh is known as the Festival City, and with the world’s biggest arts festival happening on your doorstep every year, this is one of the best possible places to start your theatre career.

Your career path will be unique, and this course is flexible to help you direct your learning in the areas you’re interested in. Module options in Years Three and Four allow you to focus your interests to suit your own career aspirations.

About the course

What is theatre? Why did it develop? What role does it play in society? To have a successful career in the theatre, you need to understand the theoretical and practical aspects of its historical context, techniques and craft. On this course you’ll learn the collaborative skills and process involved in creating and staging plays, and will experiment with key contemporary performance practices.

You’ll explore all aspects of theatre both front and back stage, including the audience. Who are they? (They may not be like you!) What do they want from a performance? How can you reach your audience? We challenge conventional assumptions of what the performing arts can be and who they are for – from both a practitioner and audience perspective.

You’ll engage with a vibrant diversity of practical and theoretical approaches that balance practice, history, research, critical thinking and employability skills. Whether you intend to be a theatre maker, scholar or teacher, the course will guide you in the development of your creative and critical prowess while providing very distinct routes into the professional world.

Creative entrepreneurship and employability is something we are passionate about and it is embedded throughout our course. Many of our students have formed their own theatre companies and are supported by QMU as they set up their businesses – including the chance to be located in our graduate start-up space called the Business Innovation Zone. The world’s largest arts festival happens right here in Edinburgh and many students successfully perform, produce or get involved in the Festival Fringe.

By the time you graduate you will know how and why a theatre team brings a performance to life, and of the many ways in which drama can be understood and made relevant to contemporary audiences.

In Years One and Two you will work in collaborative experimental workshops, finding creative solutions to the staging and performance of classic and contemporary genres and texts. Bringing a range of interests and skills (performing, directing, playwriting, dramaturgy and scenography), students will share their different perspectives and insights. Lectures will also cover theatre history and critical and performance theory, which will inform the decisions students make in their creative work.

In Years Three and Four you will study core modules plus optional modules allowing you to focus your interests in specific areas. You’ll also have the opportunity to study abroad* or go on placements. In Year Four you will complete a personal final project, which can be a practical or a written dissertation.

Structure

You can study for an honours degree over four years or an ordinary degree over three years. You will complete a range of modules each year as outlined.

The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2019) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2020 following revalidation in May 2019 - please check back here for any updates.

Placements

You’ll have the opportunity to complete a placement in the Community Theatre and Experiential learning options in Years Three and Four. Students will source a placement host with support from QMU staff. Placements are usually in the creative sector but we will consider other options suggested by students if we feel they offer an opportunity for you to develop your practical skills.

Please note that exchange opportunities are subject to availability. In addition, please note that where exchange opportunities are arranged in the EU, Erasmus+ funding is available subject to the UK remaining in the Erasmus+ scheme.

Careers

You may know that you want to work in the theatre, yet don’t know exactly which route you can take to make this happen. This course will literally take you behind the scenes and open your eyes to a broad range of theatre-based careers, including playwriting, directing, scenography, producing, screen industries, acting, community theatre, contemporary performance practice, and drama teaching, as well as communications professions and postgraduate study. At QMU we have a lively and dynamic careers service who will help guide you through your choices.

Entry requirements

Scottish Higher: Standard AABB, Minimum BBBB

A Level: BBB

Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H3 H3 H3 H3

International Baccalaureate: 30 points

International: IELTS of 6.0 with no element lower than 5.5

Required subjects: English and/ or Drama at Higher/ A Level preferred. English required and Maths preferred at Nat 5/ GCSE.

Mature/Access: Related Access course — see www.qmu.ac.uk/college-qualifications. We welcome applications from mature students with relevant qualifications and /or experience.

A Student Story - more at foot of page

Veera Leitinen - BA (Hons) Drama and Performance
"My advice for other students - be ready to take responsible of your own learning and studies, and be ready to work a lot in groups as there will be large number of group assessments. You have to be motivated to do self study to get the best out the experience. Also, take part in societies and other opportunities as these will make your experiences even better. Find the things you are interested and pursue them!"
Read my story...